Written by Monica Hobbs, Colorado Springs Girl Scout Leader for Troop 863 and Troop 1947
Two Girl Scout Alumnae who served the United States were honored in the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade on November 5, 2011 by Girl Scout Daisy Troop 863 and Girl Scout Junior Troop 1947. Tina Solis, who was a Girl Scout Cadette and a Girl Scout Leader, served in the United States Air Force for 26 years and 7 months, retiring as a Colonel in 2000. Margaret Huard, also a dedicated Girl Scout in her youth, served in the Air Force, Operation Desert Storm and is currently an Operations Research Analyst for the Air Force Materiel Command. Solis reflected, “It was inspiring to see the young ladies show so much pride to be in Girl Scouts. I was humbled and honored to represent women veterans on the 100th Anniversary for Girl Scouts of the USA.”
Huard echoed Solis’s comments stating, “I had a great time. I have thought for years about trying to get involved somehow, so I was happy to get an invitation to join the girls and celebrate the 100th Anniversary and Veterans day. I was impressed with the thought and work that went into the float and was amazed at how many Girl Scouts were in the parade that day.”
The Girl Scout Alumnae/Veterans rode a Girl Scout 100th Anniversary float featuring Girl Scouts and Leaders from Troops 863 and 1947 around a campfire wearing historical uniforms from a 1920s Girl Scout Brownie to present day Girl Scout Daisy. The tailored look of the 1940s-60s proved to be the most popular among the girls who dreamily wished they were still the uniform of today. One Girl Scout Daisy was inspired to practice a “Pan Am” handbag walk in her 1940s Girl Scout Brownie outfit.
“It was so much fun to ride the float and get cheers from the crowd and to talk to our Vets about their experiences,” said Girl Scout Daisy Zoe Huesgen Hobbs.
The Girl Scout troops involved would like to send a special thanks to the individuals who helped with this event: Brenda at the Colorado Springs Service Center for such a great collection of uniforms; Bear Automotive for the trailer; Larry Vitagliano for the campfire; World Golf & Sand Creek GC for the haybales; and Chris Fallis and Boy Scout Pack 21 who helped construct and escort the float on the parade route.
